Bad news: The head coach of the Louisville Cardinals shed tears as four of his star players made a final decision to terminate their huge contracts.
The bad news is that four of the Louisville Cardinals‘ finest players have decided to end their massive contracts, causing the head coach to cry.
Jeff Walz, the head coach of the University of Louisville women’s basketball team, has agreed to a revised contract that includes an extension through 2028–2029, it was revealed today.
“I want to start by expressing my gratitude to Lori Stewart Gonzalez, Josh Heird, Amy Calabrese, and the UofL Athletic Board for extending my contract until 2029 and acknowledging the success of women’s basketball here at UofL.” “I am just as excited about our program as I was when I first came here, and I am very excited about the direction of our athletic department.” I have the good fortune to work with an incredible team and mentor young ladies who proudly and classily represent Louisville, the university, their families, and our program.
The players are the ones who have consistently elevated our women’s basketball program to an outstanding level. And what matters most to me are the bonds I’ve made with those players—past and present. This extension is the result of 15 years of diligent labor done the correct way. I adore the university, and my family and I are incredibly appreciative of Louisville’s support of women’s basketball.
With Walz leading the team, the Cardinals have an incredible resume that includes two national title game appearances, three trips to the final four, six trips to the Elite Eight, and ten trips to the NCAA Sweet 16. His overall record in NCAA Tournament games is 33-12. With a 73.3 NCAA Tournament winning percentage, he is seventh among active coaches and eighth all-time. All of this for a team that, before Walz was named head coach, had only four NCAA Tournament victories and had never advanced past the Sweet 16.
With a 410-112 record and an average of 27.3 victories per season, Walz is the most successful coach in program history. In addition to leading Louisville to 34 games in 2008–09, 33 victories in 2013–14, 32 victories in 2018–19, and a program record 36 victories in 2017–18, he was selected ACC Coach of the Year.
Twelve times in a row, the Cardinals have achieved 20 victories, and in 14 of Walz’s 15 seasons, they have won at least 20 games. In its prior 32 years, UofL had only 10 20-win seasons, and the longest stretch earlier was three, accomplished twice. For the past ten seasons, Louisville has won at least 25 games.
Following his hiring as head coach of the Cardinals on March 27, 2007, the native of Bluegrass State guided Louisville to its first-ever NCAA Sweet 16 appearance. He was recognized as the WBCA Maggie Dixon Rookie Coach of the Year for his achievements.
Walz spent five seasons at Maryland, including his final season as the associate head coach in 2006–07, before taking the helm at Louisville. He assisted in leading the Terrapins to their first-ever national championship and a school-record 34 victories in the previous season.
He has previously attended Minnesota, Nebraska, and Western Kentucky throughout his time in college.
Walz attended Northern Kentucky on a basketball scholarship and earned a bachelor of science in secondary education there in May 1995. In August 1997, he graduated with a master’s degree in education from Western Kentucky.
Walz is the father of four children: son Jacob, daughters Lola and Lucy, and daughter Kaeley. In September 2012, he wed the former Lauren Lueders, and the two of them now call Louisville home.
